Alan's picture prompt opened a lot of memories for me, but there was one majestic opening event at which I wasn't present.
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| Majestic Theatre, Ohio - 1915 |
The advertisement was featured in the
Athens Messenger for the grand opening of the Majestic Theatre at 20 S. Court
St. Athens, OH. The Majestic Theatre opened on June 3, 1915. Today the location
is occupied by the Athena
Cinema. (Source: Athens Messenger)
However 50 years later I was in my first job at Redbourne Steelworks in Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire. This building stood then on the corner of Oswald Road and Mary Street.
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| Majestic Cinema, Scunthorpe in 2006 |
You can see that the cinema is looking the worse for wear and in 2007 it was demolished just leaving this wall..
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| Majestic no more. |
However there is a Majestic still standing in Harrogate in Yorkshire where I spent many a happy hour. British Steel used to hold conferences there and where it fell to me, on one occasion, to present a paper on a steelwork's trial conducted at Redbourne and Park Gate Works, Rotherham.
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| Majestic Hotel, Harrogate - 2008 |
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The
Majestic Hotel was built at the height of Harrogate's popularity as a spa in 1900. Unlike other
hotels in the town it was
made of brick and cost over a quarter of a million - a large sum in those
days. The trees and bushes in the foreground mask the site of the former
glazed 'winter garden' which was over 8000sq ft in area and was adorned with
palm trees etc. The winter garden was damaged by a German bomb in 1941 and
was demolished in the 1970s. In 1955, the 5 star Majestic offered B&B
from 32/6d [approx £1.63] and dinner from 12/6d [62p] - a bargain! I don't every remember it being that cheap.
Our photo prompt brought back other memories - it was on Church Street after all.
Ketton is the village in Rutland where I was born. Don't be fooled by the street sign which says Chapel Lane as the road to the right is Church Road and leads to:
I be less that honest if I didn't say that I liked this view of Church Road better.
St Mary's, Ketton from Church Road
Why? It leads back to the Railway of course.
Perhaps now it's time for you to wend your way to The Majestic Sepia Saturday.
Photos:
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19 comments:
Cracking picturs as usual, Bob. We had a Majestic Cinema in Leeds where The Sound of Music ran for years
Oh this is awesome Bob, great photos and such history! I haven't seen the theme yet, until now, but it kind of follows what I'm researching this week...sort of.... have a great week...it's hard to believe it's Tuesday night already!
Bob - thank you so much for sharing! What great photos! I haven't been back to England in several years, but these pictures capture the memories of a visit I loved so well.
Thanks for sharing the different photos. It is a good collection.
Well, that was a round about trip...Would you believe, I liked the brick wall picture best? LOL I think it's a great example of art trouvé.
There’s something really sad about that ghostly imprint on the wall after the Majestic was demolished. I followed you again Bob- my first Teaching Practice was in Scunthorpe!
I enjoyed the tour of the various Majestics.
Even the multi-screens couldn't save it. The Railway Inn confirms the truism that if you want to find a village pub look for the church spire and there will be one nearby.
A terrific post! I love how the remains of the Scunthorpe Majestic are a giant blueprint of the building. Perhaps "Majesty" is always in the eye of the beholder?
A lovely wander along memory lane!
What a creative approach to this theme. I remember the Railway Inn from a previous post of yours. The image really stuck with me and made me want to visit Ketton.
Thanks for the grand tour! Imagine seeing Mary Pickford for a dime...
The majestic hotel is a place I would love to stay! Great tour.
I can't get over how many theaters I have run across named Majestic. My little home town had a Majestic Theater in the 40's up to the 70's. Of course I have never been to England but would sure love to go.
QMM
Loved the pictures! In my hours of research I have discovered that the same names/themes have been used over and over for theatres everywhere - I never really thought about it before this exercise; Majestic, Grand, Garden, Rialto, Strand, Park, Victory, etc.
But the remaining wall is a work of art in itself!
I feel so sorry for you being "obliged" to spend time at the Majestic hotel. It looks like such a "dump"...
Honestly!!!
This looks great!!
:)~
Great post, as usual!!
:)~
HUGZ
Hi Bob, this was a great tour! Sorry that your old Majestic lost its luster and was deemed better off removed. I like how the stairs are painted off to the non-existent roof in that picture.
250,000 ... now that is tons of money! The Opera House in my post cost $42,000 and I thought that was a lot. Of course your Majestic is a huge hotel, but how nice that it is still beautiful and in use.
I love that very last church photo, you did great as you always do. See you soon!
Kathy M.
A Majestic Post Bob!
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